𝐏𝐚𝐤𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐧 𝐀𝐢𝐫𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐜𝐞'𝐬 𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐜 𝐋𝐞𝐚𝐩: 𝐉-𝟑𝟓𝐀 𝐀𝐜𝐪𝐮𝐢𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐋𝐞𝐚𝐯𝐞𝐬 𝐈𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐚𝐧 𝐀𝐢𝐫 𝐅𝐨𝐫𝐜𝐞 𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐮𝐠𝐠𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐨 𝐊𝐞𝐞𝐩 𝐔𝐩
The
Pakistan Air Force is on track to induct the state-of-the-art
Chinese 5th generation stealth fighter, J-35A, by late 2025. An initial batch of 40 aircraft is expected, solidifying
PAF's cutting-edge capabilities.
This move positions Pakistan a decade and a half ahead of the
Indian Air Force in terms of airpower technology, according to Air Commodore (Retd.) Zia-ul-Haq Shamsi. By 2026, PAF will be leagues ahead, with India left grappling to bridge the gap.
India’s indigenous AMCA fighter jet program remains a pipe dream, with experts projecting it won't be operational until 2040—if at all. Meanwhile, the
PAF will likely field a 6th generation fighter jet well before AMCA even takes to the skies.
Adding to IAF's woes, the
UnitedStates has categorically denied and will never offer the
F35 to India, citing trust and strategic concerns. Furthermore, India's attempts to procure the Russian SU-57 fell flat when President
Putin rejected
Modi’s plea for the advanced fighter during the latter’s visit to
Russia.
The IAF is now in disarray, lacking any credible roadmap to acquire a 5th generation fighter, leaving it severely disadvantaged in the region. The
PAF's modernization continues to tilt the balance of power, showcasing its unmatched strategic foresight and capability.